Wood-carving machine.



Patented Dec. l2, |399. J. E. BRIELMAEER.

WUDD CABVING MACHINE.

(Application med may 11, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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N0. 638,794. Patented Dec'. l2, |899.

J. E. BRIELMAIEH.

WOOD CARVING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 11, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Wmme@ "m, m. CML( No. 638,794. Patented Dec. I2, |899. J. E. BRIELMAIER.

WUUD CARVING MACHINE.

- (Application led May 11, 1899.)

3 sheets-sneervs.

(l0 Model.)

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1' NTTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN E. BRIELMAIER, OF DUBUQUE, lOlVA.

wooo-CARVING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,794, dated December 12, 1899. Application ned May 11, 1899. seni No. 716,461. No man.)

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Be it known that I, JOHN E. BRIELMAIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dubuque, in the county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vood-Oarving Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

In the use of carving-machines such as those which follow a model in carving statues, statuettes, and the like from blocks of wood great difficulty is experienced, because of the lack of flexibility in the machine, to adapt it to follow the model, especially where that model is of artistic design.

The object and design of this invention is to overcome those difculties and to provide a machine which shall possess great flexibility', whereby a model of artistic design may be accurately reproduced in all its minute details with great rapidity and without the aid of a skilled artisan.

This device is exemplified in a structure hereinafterdescribed, and illustrated in the drawings, and the invention hereof is defi ned in the appended claims.

Figure lis a perspective of my device, taken from the front. Figi 2 is a side View. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one of the cross-bars with the pedestals thereon, showing mode of turning model and blank. Fig. 4 is a plan view of cutting apparatus with connections for operating the sam e. Fig. 5 is a front view of the means for operating the cutter. Fig. 6 shows the under side of the plate to which the cutter and index-finger are pivoted. Fig, 7 shows the means for pivoting to the shaft the plate which carries the cutter, and Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the manner of pivoting the cutter to the plate. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the worin-gear for operating the wheels I9. Fig. I0 is a detail View showing the mechanism for adjusting the part in relation to the work.

rThe outside or stationary frame of my machine consists of two uprights I and crossbars These are rigidly fastened together and to the building in which the machine is operated or firmly set in such a manner that there will be little or no vibration of the frame when the machine is in operation. Securely fastened to the front of the uprights l is a plate i projecting inwardly a short distance beyond the uprights and serving as ways or guides for the cross-bars 6 and 7 in their upward and downward movements. To the outer end of each of the bars is attached a plate S. The plates are grooved in their ends and by engagement with the plate 4 guide the upward and downward movement of the cross-bars. The bars 6 and 7 are united by straps IO, fastened to the plates 8. The straps IO are adj ustably secured to the cross-bars G and 7 for the purpose of adapting them to hold models and blanks of different lengths. Upon the cross-bars 7 are set blocks l2, having bearings 13 thereon, through which bearings 13 rotates a shaft l5. This shaft is supplied with a worm-gear 17. Upon the crossbar 7 are also secured two pedestals 16, upon the top of each of which pedestals is pivoted a rotating platform IS. Just beneath the platform 18 and surrounding the pedestal is a plate 19, which is provided upon its outer edge with cogs 20, that mesh into the wormgear 17, and is rotated thereby. On the top of one of these rotating platforms I8 is securely fastened the model 22 and upon the other a blank or dummy 24. Rods 25 are inserted in the top of the model 22 and the blank 2i and project up through the crossbar 6. In this manner it will be seen that the model and the blank are rigidly held at a given distance from each other between the cross-bars 6 and 7, and since they are rotated by the same shaft l5 will always bear the same relation to each other.

For the purpose of raising and lowering the cross-bars, and with them the model and blank, two rods 28, screw-threaded for a por tion of their lower ends, are inserted through the cross-bar 2 and pass down through the loops or guides (not shown) attached to the rear of the plate 8 and engage with the screws inserted in the cross-bar 7. At the top of each of the rods 28 is attached a gear-wheel 30, which meshes with the gear-wheel 3l, forming a bevel-gear. Upon the shaft 35 are set 'two loose pulleys 36 37 and between them IOO a 'fixed pulley 3S upon the same shaft. Two belts 39 and 40 engage those pulleys 36 and 37, one traveling in one direction and the other in the opposite direction, whereby when the belt 39 is shifted to the Iixed pulley 3S it will drive the bevel-gears, and with them the screw-rods, iu one direction and raise the bars 6 and 7, and with them the model and blank, and when the belt 40 is shifted upon the pulley 3S will reverse the action land lower the same.

In front of the stationary frame and upon either side are set two posts 41 and 42, to which are secured, near the to p, plates 43. In the upper end of the plates 43 are screws 45, running at right angles to the frame and having ou their outer ends sprocket-wheels 47 48 and an operating-crank 50. An endless sprocket-chain 52 passes over the sprocketwheels 47 and 4S, down beneath the floor 46, and passes around under sprocket-wheels 53 and 54 upon each side, pivoted in the posts 41 and 42.

A shaft 55, screwthreaded through its outer ends iu the holes 5l, connects the two plates 43 and engages with the screws 45 in guideways 44 of the plates 43.

A plate 5S is pivotally attached to the shaft 55 by securing it to a plate 56 (shown in Fig. 7) and passing said shaft through the hole 57 in plate 56. By this mode of attachment the plate 5S may be rotated about said shaft and also moved thereon parallel with the shaft. Over this plate 5S is another plate 60, to the under side of which are secured crosswise of the plate two bars G2, one at or near each end of the plate 60 and having thereon a tenon (34, and by this mode of construction the plate 60 may be moved forward and backward upon and parallel with the plate 58, thus giving the operator an opportunity to move the cutter and index-finger to and from the model and blank while the machine is in operation. The movement of the plate 60 upon the plate 5S is limited by a set-screw 59.

Upon the upper surface of the plate 60, at or near the end next to the model 22, is pivoted a plate by the pivot-bolt 7,3, which is countersunk into the plate 70 and passes through the plate 60, to which it is held by the bolt 73. Upon each end of the plate 70 are set bearings 72, within which is rigidly secured the index-finger 75. Upon the opposite end of said plate 60 is also pivoted a plate 77 in the manner as the plate 70. This plate is pivoted with the bearings S0 and has thereon oil-cups 8l. Through these bearings 80 passes the cutter-shaft 83, provided upon its inner end with a cutter 85. To the outer end of the cutter-shaft S3 is attached the ilexible drive-shaft- 86, by which power is applied to the shaft 83. The shaft S3 and the index-linger 75 are connected at their outer ends by a connecting-rod 90. A swivelbearing 91 is inserted in the connecting-rod 90, through which the cutter-shaft 83 passes and has a bearing. The right-hand end of the rod 90 terminates in ahandle 92. It will be seen by this mode of setting the cutter and index-finger that great flexibility and adaptability will be given to them, because they can be moved in a horizontal plane to and from the work by turning the crank 50, which revolvesthe screw 45. This screw by its engagement with the threads in the holes 51 through the shaft 55 will draw the shaft 55 out from the work and by turning the crank in the opposite direction will move the shaft toward the work. The endless chain 52, passing over the sprocket-Wheels 47, 48, 53, and 54 and operated by the same crank, will move equally both ends of the shaft 55. Again, the plate 58, being pivoted on the shaft 55, may be rotated about said shaft, and thus adapt the cutter to attack the blank in different positions at different points above and' below the horizontal plane of the shaft 55. A further movement may be had of the cutter and index-finger to and from the model and blank by sliding the plate` 60 upon the plate 5S and parallel therewith. Another movement of the cutter and index-finger may be had by sliding the plate 5S along on the shaft 55 to the right or left, and still another movement of the cutter may be had, and with it the index-linger, by turning them to the right or lef-t by reason of their pivotal attachment to the plate G0. These five movements of the cutter and index-finger give the machine great adaptability to operate upon large surfaces of the blank without stopping the machine to move the model and blank up or down or turn them around. They also furnish an opportunity for work on delicate and minute designs, which maybe accurately and rapidly reproduced in their minute details and by unskilled workmen.

For the purpose of revolving the model and blank at the same time and maintaining their same relative position to each other there is attached to the shaft 15 a pulley 21. At the top of the stationary frame there is set a pulley 97 and just beneath two wheels 98, alsoa pulley 100, to which is attached a weight 102. Around these various pulleys travels an endless rope 105. The rope 105 may be caused to travel by hand or by power applied to the shaft which carries the pulley 97, and as the shaft 15 is secured upon blocks resting upon the cross-bar7 it will move up and down with said cross-bar and carry the pulleyv 2l.

lt will be seen by the movement of the rope 105 that it will turn the pulley 21, which revolves the shaft l5, and the worm-gear 17, which engages with the cogs 20 on the plate upon which the platforms which carry the modeland the blank are secured. This will cause the model and the blank to turn in the same direction and maintain the same relative position to each other. The rope 105 will always remain taut whatever position IOC.

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the pulley 2l may have along the frame 1 from the fact that the weighted pulley 100 will provide for all of the slack causedby the upward and downward movement of the pulley 21.`

In operating the cutter to perform the carving upon the blank the operator grasps the handle 92 of the crossbar 90 and at the same time with the other hand the index-1inger along its inner end close to the model and then follows with his lefty hand the index-iinger along against the surface of the model and by this means is able to move the indexnger to any intricate part of the design. He is also able to hold the cutter steady, and thus follow correctly with the cutter the direction of the index-finger.

It will be observed that the operator with his left hand upon the index-finger close to the model and his right rmly grasping the handle 92 is in position to take immediate advantage of the ive movements hereinbefore described without stopping the cutter.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a wood-carving machine a stationary frame, means for movably setting a model and blank, a shaft set in front of the frame, a plate pivoted to said shaft, and an index-fin` ger and cutter pivoted to said plate and adapted to be rotated about said shaft, and both adapted to be turned to the right or left in the same plane upon the said plate, for the purposes shown.

2. In a wood-carving machine a stationary frame, means for movably setting a model and blank, a shaft set in front of the frame, a plate pivoted to said shaft, a second plate adapted to slide upon said first plate, and an index-finger and cutter, united together and pivoted to said second plate, whereby the index-finger may be rotated about the shaft, turned together right or left in a plane parallel with said plates, and moved to and from said model and blank in a plane parallel to butin a direction at right angles to said plates, for the purposes shown.

8. In a wood-carving machine a stationary frame, means for movably setting a model and blank, a shaft, a plate loosely pivoted to said shaft and adapted to rotate about said shaft, a second plate attached to the rst and adapted to be moved in a plane parallel therewith but in a direction at right angles, and an indexlinger and cutter pivoted to said second plate, whereby said index-finger and cutter may be rotated about said shaft, slid along parallel with said shaft, moved to and from the model and blank and turned to the right or left upon said plates, for the purposes shown.

4. In a wood-carving machine a stationary frame, a model and blank movably set within the frame, a shaft set in front of the frame and adapted to be moved to and from said frame, aplate pivoted to said shaft and adapted to be moved along said shaft and rotated about the same, a second plate secured to the first, and adapted to be moved in a plane parallel therewith in a direction at right angles, and an index-finger and a cutter pivoted to said second plate, and attached together, whereby the index-finger and cutter may be moved to and from the model and blank in a horizontal plane, to the right or left uponthe shaft, rotated about the shaft, moved to and from the model and blank at different angles and turned to the right or left, as and for the purposes shown.

5. A wood-carving machine consisting of aA stationary frame, means for movably setting a model and blank, means for moving them up and down therein, a shaft set in front of the frame, means for moving said shaft to and from the frame, a plate loosely pivoted upon the shaft as its axis and an index-finger and cutter pivoted upon said plates, as and for the purposes shown.

6. A wood-carving machine consisting of a stationary frame, means for movably setting a model and blank, and having means for moving them perpendicular therein, means for rotating the model and blank to the same extent, a shaft in front of the frame, means for moving the said shaft to and from the frame, a plate pivoted upon the shaft as its axis, and an index-finger and cutter pivoted upon said plates, as and for the purposes shown.

7. A wood-carving machine consisting of a stationary frame, cross-bars within said frame, means for movably setting a model and blank between said cross-bars, one or more screws secured in the frame and engaging with said cross-bars for raising and lowering the model and blank, means for revolving the model and blank, consisting of a shaft 15, worm 17 and cogs 20, a shaft, a plate loosely pivoted to said shaft as its axis, and an index-V nger and cutter pivoted to said plates, all combined to operate, as and for the purposes shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. BRIELMAIER.

Witnesses:

M. M. CADY, LoUIs -F. KOLFENBACH.

IOO 

